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We cannot afford to say no to new coal, new gas or new nuclear."
What does he mean with 'new gas'. If he means power plants, then new gas is exactly what makes the UK more dependent on Russia.
I personally have no problem with that, as I have trust that Russia will deliver in the future, too, but wouldn't with the strong fear of energy dependency the most reasonable thing to do, to announce massive investment into wind, solar, tide, geothermia (if that is possible in the UK), to say, OK, we have to accept some higher energy prices, but therefore get reliable sources?
I'm not aware that the UK would be a cutting-edge on that field. Weird...

Gemach, gemach
by Martin (weiser.mensch(at)googlemail.com) on Wed Aug 27th, 2008 at 07:23:25 PM EST
indeed.

but no so much when you think that the goal is not so much to actually solve the problem but just to find someone that can be blamed for it on  the domestic political front.

Wind is not Serious, you should know by now. And enerrgy efficiency is so wimpy and hippy-worthy.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Thu Aug 28th, 2008 at 06:39:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The official lines on energy policy in pretty much all countries are farcial.

I wonder why? Incompetence, evil intent, personal gain, conspiracy or what?

I must say incompetence is as usual a much underestimated force. This is also a happy thought because it means we can change things for the better.

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.

by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Sat Aug 30th, 2008 at 08:15:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I agree that incompetence is often underestimated. But how does this mean it can be changed more easily?

If there would be competent politicians, who would e.g. like to help Big Oil, then it is reasonable, that they will shift policies just in time. Not too early, that profits are lost, but as well not too late.
Incompetence allows to run into the abyss, unaware until it is too late.  

Gemach, gemach

by Martin (weiser.mensch(at)googlemail.com) on Sat Aug 30th, 2008 at 08:29:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I agree that incompetence is often underestimated. But how does this mean it can be changed more easily?

If politicians, experts and pundits are incompetent we can replace them with ourselves. Just gimme a call in 10 years and you'll see. ;)

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Sat Aug 30th, 2008 at 09:30:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The obvious problem being that "too late" may come at a later point in time for Big Oil than for the rest of us...

- Jake

Ceterum censeo Chicago esse delendam

by JakeS (JangoSierra 'at' gmail 'dot' com) on Sat Aug 30th, 2008 at 11:14:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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